Wow, this is a really striking essay. The great pity is that the people who really should read this never will. http://www.onbeing.org/blog/omid-safi-there-is-no-other-america/8460
1930's Europe, 1980's Middle East. It's happened in recent historical memory; no reason to think the U.S. Is immune. I view it as more cultish than strictly stupid. Although the end result is the same.
What do I have to hide? Not much. Does this mean I will just piss freedom away? Nope. It's a splendid bit of irony that many of the same folks who cry Second Ammendment in order to keep firearms to protect them from a government they don't trust, will trust that same government to do the right thing as long as it's to somebody else.
The precedent this could set is chilling, especially as the Internet of Things becomes pervasive. Which is more valuable? Imaginary freedom, or imaginary security?
It's not a cut and dried issue. https://lawfareblog.com/not-slippery-slope-jump-cliff http://www.computerworld.com/article/3038269/security/apple-vs-the-fbi-the-legal-arguments-explained.html http://www.popsci.com/rock-stars-cryptography-debate-apple-versus-fbi-case http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/technology/apple-and-fbi-face-off-before-house-judiciary-committee.html?_r=0
Well, yes, although plenty of other countries have gone through the same or worse, politically. It's just finally reached 'get off the high horse, USA' stage.